Removal of nanoplastics in water treatment processes: A review.

Removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from urban waters: Separation and degradation.

Microplastics have been detected all around the globe in freshwaters which are frequently used to produce drinking water. Therefore, the contamination of raw water with microplastics that supplies drinking water treatment plants, and their removal efficiency is raising more concern and interest. In the present study, we evaluated the microplastic contamination in a conventional drinking water treatment plant (Geneva, Switzerland) and the contribution of coagulation on the efficiency of the filtration systems (sand and activated carbon filtrations) in the removal efficiency of microplastics (MPs) and synthetic fibres. This work was performed in a pilot station that replicates the main drinking water treatment process. Raw water and effluents of each filtering processes were analysed for the presence of MPs and synthetic fibres with sizes ≥ 63 μm using infrared spectroscopy. The contamination of MPs in raw water and in drinking water ranged from 19.5 to 143.5 MPs/m3 and from 0 to 8 MPs/m3 (in presence and absence of coagulant), respectively. On the other hand, concentration of synthetic fibres ranged from 7.7 to 23.8 synthetic fibres/m3 in raw water and from 0 to 3 synthetic fibres/m3 in drinking water. Results show that on average 89% of microplastics and 81% of synthetic fibres (≥63 μm) are retained in water treatment in absence of coagulant. Better final removal efficiency of microplastics (97%) and synthetic fibres (96%) was observed in drinking water with coagulation treatment. The chemical composition of microplastics and synthetic fibres is found more heterogeneous in raw water than after sand filtration and activated carbon filtration.

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Contamination and Removal Efficiency of Microplastics and Synthetic Fibres in a Conventional Drinking Water Treatment Plant

The emergence of novel respiratory disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a public health emergency worldwide and perturbed the global economy and ecosystem services. Many studies have reported the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in different environmental compartments, its transmission via environmental routes, and potential environmental challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. None of these studies have comprehensively reviewed the bidirectional relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the environment. For the first time, we explored the relationship between the environment and the SARS-CoV-2 virus/COVID-19 and how they affect each other. Supporting evidence presented here clearly demonstrates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in soil and water, denoting the role of the environment in the COVID-19 transmission process. However, most studies fail to determine if the viral genomes they have discovered are infectious, which could be affected by the environmental factors in which they are found.The potential environmental impact of the pandemic, including water pollution, chemical contamination, increased generation of non-biodegradable waste, and single-use plastics have received the most attention. For the most part, efficient measures have been used to address the current environmental challenges from COVID-19, including using environmentally friendly disinfection technologies and employing measures to reduce the production of plastic wastes, such as the reuse and recycling of plastics. Developing sustainable solutions to counter the environmental challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic should be included in national preparedness strategies. In conclusion, combating the pandemic and accomplishing public health goals should be balanced with environmentally sustainable measures, as the two are closely intertwined. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.114496

Environmental challenges of COVID-19 pandemic: resilience and sustainability – A review

Abstract Nanoplastics (NPs) made from plastic fragments have attracted wide attention due to their extensive distribution and potential harm to organisms. In this study, the zeolite as raw samples, a new magnetic zeolite (MZ) adsorbent was successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method to remove polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs). The adsorption amounts of PSNPs by MZ sample enhanced with the increases of PSNPs initial concentration and the temperature in aquatic solutions. The maximum equilibrium adsorption amount could achieve 34.2 mg/g. The solution pH, co-existing anions, and ionic strength could significantly affect the removal of PSNPs. Comparing different adsorption models, it displays that the pseudo-second-order and Sips models could well fit the adsorption process of PSNPs by MZ. Based on the XPS analysis, the iron oxide functional groups exhibit an important role in capturing PSNPs. The potential adsorption mechanisms of PSNPs are summarized as electrostatic attraction, complexation, and π-π conjugation. Overall, the synthesized magnetic material can effectively remove NPs from aqueous solutions.

Albert van Dijk

Papers

Fate and removal efficiency of polystyrene nanoplastics in a pilot drinking water treatment plant